The Anti-Fur Society is a group that works closely with animal groups worldwide, helping promote their efforts insofar as possible.

At this time, we are pleased to introduce to you:

Atlantic Canadian Anti-Sealing Coalition

LETTER TO HATEM YAVUS:

EMAIL: hatemyavuz@superonline.com

Dear Hatem Yavuz of Australia,

As a Namibian Cape fur seal buyer you have recently hit the press, but not in a way you ought to be proud of as you have now become the primary supporter of one of the most cruel and violent trade: Namibia's Cape Fur Seal skins. Since the Canada lost its seal trade in Europe because of the EU's seal trade ban, Namibia has now become the largest seal hunter in the world, claiming notoriety as the world seal pups killer. Whether you like it or not, you as the primary buyer is directly responsible for the continuation of the brutal killings of seal pups. If there is any doubt in your mind as to the exact cruelty involved in the killing of these infant animals, A report was compiled after extensive research done by the European Food Safety Authority and outlines welfare issues surrounding the killing of seal which concluded that the killings are unnecessarily cruel and unacceptable.

The skins are sold to you at very low prices, and the seal clubbers receive derisive wages, and are even forced to live in cardboards. You not only are being responsible for the cruel killings of seal pups, but are also contributing with labor exploitation. If you do not care for the welfare of the animals, you could at least consider the workers welfare. These seasonal workers are poor - not immune to emotions, and certainly the brutal killings will affect them psychologically. All the while those who profit from their trauma sit in luxury getting their hands dirty only by the immoral background of their income.

Footage of these dwellings is available here http://www.ecoeye.org/ecoeye/Film%20database/CF593352-3B8E-49EB-9029-C9D60D2A3A6A.html

Apart from the inhumane aspects of the brutal killings, the annual seal cull lasts for 139 days in Namibia, and it immensely disturbs the seal breeding behaviour in the colonies, causing them to collapse. This in turn destroys the seal viewing ecotourism. If the tourism industry is given a chance to grow, the then former seal-clubbers will be absorbed with permanent touristic jobs. You are currently receiving a lot of bad publicity, and it will not go away until you have reconsidered and pulled yourself out of such a bloody and cruel business. You are a very intelligent and ingenious man, and certainly can find other sources to continue acquiring wealth without getting yourself inside of such a despicable world: The bloody fur trade.

Discuss this articleShare your views with other visitors, and read what they have to say

Canadian officials are in Brussels this week in an attempt to persuade the European Union to abandon its proposed plan to ban imports of seal products. If passed, the proposal would ban seal products from countries whose hunting practices involve 'unnecessary pain'.

Rumours of a vote on the EU proposal are not new. However, recent moves from Canada suggest that they feel a vote is imminent. Canadian officials say that the EU may attempt a vote before its annual seal hunt gets underway in March of this year. However, similarly timed sabre-rattling from Brussels took place in April 2008 but no vote ultimately took place (see Bridges Trade BioRes, 4 April 2008, http://ictsd.net/i/news/biores/10505/).

The Canadian delegation's arrival in Brussels is the country's second major move in recent weeks to convince the EU that hunting practices are not as cruel as lobbyists would have them believe. In December the Canadian government issued new rules governing the way in which hunters determined whether seals were, in fact, dead before skinning them.

The proposed EU ban is meant to "ensure that products derived from seals killed and skinned in ways that cause pain, distress and suffering are not found on the European market." Canada's new rules, published in the Canada Gazette - the country's official government publication of laws - on 27 December, are specifically designed to appease European concerns.

"The method of harvesting seals in the current Regulations.would fail to meet the derogation criteria presented in the proposed European ban on seal products," the document reads. "As a result, Canada could face a potential ban of its seal products to Europe, which would represent a loss for an export industry worth $13 [million] and a critical element of the livelihood of 6,000 sealers in rural communities across Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the North."

The existing rules require hunters to perform a 'blinking reflex test', to determine whether a seal is unconscious before skinning. This test has been replaced by a 'three-step process' of stunning, checking, and bleeding seals for 60 seconds before processing.

Loyola Sullivan, Canada's ambassador for fisheries conservation insists that the changes take into account recommendations of the International Veterinarians' Working Group - a panel of nine veterinarians from Canada, France, the United States, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Sullivan says that Canada is already considering retaliatory trade options. "Canada strongly believes that what's proposed is in violation of WTO and GATT provisions," Sullivan said recently. "There's a whole host of aspects we think violates their obligations."

The EU already has a ban on fur imports from white-coated pups. Canada lodged a complaint at the WTO dispute mechanism over the EU bans in September 2007 (see Bridges Trade BioRes, 5 October 2007, http://www.ictsd.org/biores/07-10-05/inbrief.htm). However, no panel has been established and no settlement has been notified.

Belgium and the Netherlands have already independently banned imports of seal products. While Canada is in a position to challenge the bans at the WTO, officials say they hope to resolve both the existing and proposed bans through dialogue.

As predicted, the EU has BACKED OFF and SOLD OUT, on banning seal products imported into EU countries. Their decision to maintain the status quo, means another year of draconian bureaucracies waging bloody, merciless Armageddon against helpless babes being stabbed, beaten, shot and skinned alive. It becomes more obvious than ever, that those who possess compassion and empathy must lead the charge to override politicians, whose only bottom line is what's-in-it- for-me... we continue to battle the age-old problem of dealing with governments that remain deaf, dumb and blind to the will of the majority.

To be heard requires a massive PUBLIC OUTCRY--IT REQUIRES GETTING INVOLVED. Please continue to voice your disgust and opposition to the worldwide speciescide taking place in Eastern Canada, Namibia, Greenland, Norway and Russia by BOYCOTTING products, goods, services [including internet trade] and travel to the offending nations. And ALWAYS remember to contact Depts. of Tourism in these countries to make them aware that you ARE BOYCOTTING AND WHY.

EASTERN CANADA SEALING PROVINCES

QUEBEC TOURISM:

EMAIL: info@bonjourquebec. com

[info at bonjourquebec dot com]

NOVA SCOTIA TOURISM

EMAIL: info@nstourism. com

[info at nstourism dot com]

MAGDALEN ISLANDS TOURISM

EMAIL: info@tourismeilesde lamadeleine. com

[info at tourismeilesdelamad eleine dot com]

NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR TOURISM

EMAIL: tourisminfo@ mail.gov. nf.ca

[tourisminfo at mail dot gov dot nf dot ca]

NAMIBIA TOURISM

EMAIL: info@namibiatourism .com.na

[info at namibiatourism dot com dot na]

NORWAY TOURISM

EMAIL: norway@ntr.no

[norway at ntr dot no]

GREENLAND TOURISM

EMAIL: info@greenland. com

[info at greenland dot com]

RUSSIAN TOURISM

EMAIL: info@visitrussia. org.uk

[info at visitrussia dot org dot uk]

STAVROS DIMAS -- EU Commissioner For Environment

EMAIL: stavros.dimas@ ec.europa. eu

[stavros dot dimas at ec dot europa dot eu]

SAMPLE LETTER: [vary to make it your own]

Sirs:

What will it take for you to stop the bloody massacre of defenseless marine mammals? Due to arrogance, greed and stupidity, our oceans have been raped clean. The seas are vast dead zones. The scapegoating of these seals and other creatures who belong, continues without reflection or remorse. You have denied the compassionate a voice in this war on wildlife, stripping generations of the opportunities to appreciate the enormous contributions that these creatures make to our planet. You have broken the delicate chain of life in all its God-given perfection. You are blind, and that blindness is killing us all. I, my friends, family and co-workers will be boycotting ALL goods, services and travel to your country. We will do everything within our power to stop your mindless destruction. I sincerely hope that the specter of a sharp economic decline will help you realize that these animals are valuable, they are revered, not for the currency their body parts bring, but because they have a right to a peaceful existence, the same right that you so pompously afford yourselves, but deny others.

Author of European Parliament report describes proposed ban as "worst of both worlds"; Greenland brings case against ban to Brussels.

A proposal from the European Commission to ban most trade in seal products could prove to be unworkable, according to an influential MEP.

Diana Wallis, a British Liberal (ALDE) MEP who is the Parliament's rapporteur on the issue, told European Voice that the proposed ban was "the worst of both worlds" as it contained too many exemptions to work while also harming "fragile indigenous communities" (???) of traditional seal hunters. Wallis said it was "a ban with a huge hole in the middle" that could result in entire countries being exempt. "I want to achieve better treatment of these beautiful animals," she said, "but I do also think we need to respect the Inuit communities". (????)

Last year the European Commission proposed a ban on seal products that are traded within and into the EU. But the ban is studded with exceptions, for products proven to meet animal welfare standards and for traditional Inuit seal hunts.

Wallis believes that the regulation has been drawn up too quickly and that the EU risks legal challenges if it goes ahead with a ban. She suggests that the EU has over-stepped its competence. "We cannot legislate for Canadian hunting, any more than we can regulate fox-hunting in the UK," she said. quote Greenland says existing exemption for Inuits has not helped indigenous hunters quote

Instead, Wallis proposes a mandatory labeling system that would state whether seal products - skin, fat and meat - meet animal-welfare standards. The Commission also wants a certification system so consumers know that seal products meet animal-welfare standards.

Wallis faces a challenge in the European Parliament, where animal welfare is an emotive issue. Frieda Brepoels, a Belgian centre-right (EPP-ED) who is drafting the environment committee's position on the Parliamentary report written by Wallis, wants to toughen the Commission's proposal. Brepoels calls for a full ban on seal products with a limited exemption for Inuit communities. "Only a total ban meets the widely demonstrated concerns of European citizens," she argues.

In 2006, 425 MEPs backed a resolution in favour of banning trade in harp and hooded species of seals. Wallis said she expected that the regulation would split parliamentary groups.

Impact on Greenland

Finn Karlsen, Greenland's fisheries, hunting and agriculture minister, told European Voice that the proposal would have negative consequences for hunters in Greenland. The minister said that an existing exemption for Inuits from current rules had not helped indigenous hunters and led to the government off Greenland paying out large subsidies to support hunters.

"Seal hunting has been part of our culture for 1,000 years," the minister said. "We all eat seal meat and we are dependent on seal hunters."

Karlsen also said that the Inuit way of hunting met animal-welfare standards: "Greenlanders hunt with rifles. They shoot them [the seals] in the head and they die immediately."

The minister said that the Wallis labelling proposal was "more acceptable" than a ban, but needed to be evaluated very carefully.

The majority of the 900,000 seals that are killed each year worldwide come from non-EU countries, chiefly Canada, Greenland, Namibia, Norway and Russia. But a ban would split the EU. While Sweden, Finland and the UK have small-scale seal hunts, Belgium and the Netherlands have passed laws to restrict trade in seal products, while Germany is considering such a law.

The Parliament's environment committee discussed Wallis's report on the Commission's proposal on 21 January. Its internal market and consumer protection committee will also vote on Wallis's report on 17 February and the full Parliament will vote in April. The Czech presidency of the EU hopes to lead the Parliament and the Council of Ministers to a first-reading agreement before July.

"As a result of the total lack of interest from our Canadian Government to the opinions of the Canadian public about the seal hunt, fifteen months ago CATCA launched an awareness campaign targeting the Polish Government. This turned out to be very positive, thus, 13 months ago, CATCA launched a successful international campaign together with anti sealing groups in Europe and Canada.

Our goal has been to target all Ministries of Environment at the European Union, to explain them, what really happens during the seal hunt and why it can't be done in a humane way. We want these decision makers to support the total ban on the trade of Canadian seal products at the European Union (there is a very important upcoming decision coming in February at the European Parliament and Council, that could end the seal hunt in Canada between the next 4-7 years).

If the ban on the trade of seal products (Canadian and also from the seals killed for fur in Russian, Namibia, Greenland and Norway) is approved, this would harm quite a lot the trade on seal products and the Canadian seal hunt particularly. The sealers are getting barely any money from the seal hunt now. It is risky and the weather conditions are extreme, so this is what has the power to end it up once and for all. The Atlantic Canadian fisheries are also getting the pressure for the Seafood Boycott that has made them lost millions of dollars in revenue.

During 2007, our President and Founder went 3 times to Europe, relaying on the good will of fellow animal colleagues and volunteers, who send us whatever they could to pay for these trips. CATCA doesn't get any funding due that we lobby against our Canadian Government. However so far we have succeeded in lobbying in person with the majority of the decision makers in Europe for over three years, thanks to the generosity and involvement of many people all over the world."

Fisheries Minister Esau has rejected our legal letter requesting a meeting which was supported by over 50 org's in 22 countries. His response was full of xenophobic remarks unbecoming of a government official. In conclusion he has stated that the seal cull will go ahead and continue for many years to come. My advocate has requested scientific data to support the cull, and as yet we await a reply. I urge all to campaign and write to ask the Russian Prime Minister to include Cape fur seals of Namibia in any import ban of these seal products. As I understand it, Hatem Yavuz, the last remaining seal skin buyer of these pelts has recently opened high fashion stores in Russia to sell these seal skin jackets. Closing these markets for seal skins will further collapse this sick industry.

Francois Hugo

Seal Alert-SA Media Release, 14 June 2009

It's TIME Namibia Re-Think its Seal Cull Policy

Namibia's attempts at managing, reducing or controlling the growth of the seal population for the benefit of commercial fisheries via annual culls of seal pups has failed.

Out of the 40 seal colonies all growth in the last 4 decades has come directly from the growth in the seal colonies targeted for culling or reducing the seal population, and these 4 have become the largest seal colonies and now represent over 70 percent of the seal population.

South Africa realized this two decades ago when it ended its seal cull policy, and has since seen no further growth. Likewise other fishing countries in the southern hemisphere, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Peru and Argentina have all stopped commercial sealing and adopted instead seal focused ecotourism as its preferred use of the seal resource. Namibia is the only country in the southern hemisphere still culling seals.

Countries in the southern hemisphere, having changed their policy from seal culling to seal focused ecotourism now enjoy the revenue generated from over 1,3 million seal viewing tourists who generated revenue exceeding $250 million US dollars.

Scientifically Namibia has not produced a single study which supports the effectiveness of seal culling in benefitting the fisheries or reducing the seal population. In fact overall seals consumption of fish have been found to have less than 0,3% losses to commercial fisheries. A seal cull to benefit the Hake fishery, Namibia's largest has shown would negatively effect the commercial catch of hake, likewise with horse mackerel. Even in its most basic thought, that by culling a million fish eating seals, will make more fish available - is completely false. For there is simply no way of knowing whether the fish saved by culling the seals, will still be available to commercial fisheries, or whether these fish will be eaten by other fish or marine predators like whales, dolphins, seabirds or sharks.

Seal focused ecotourism in Namibia generates 4 times greater revenue than seal culls. It is far more sustainable, creates no negative international image, creates year-round employment and is in direct conflict with the seal culling activities at Cape Cross, Namibia's largest tourist attraction.

Seal pup TAC quotas which have increased from 17 000 seal pups prior to independence to a now unsustainable 85 000 seal pups. Has reached a point where two seal rights holders, with sealing rights to kill 1 million seal pups until 2019, cannot fill their quotas averaging less than 60 percent, even with extension of the sealing season. International buyers of exported seal skins has fallen from over a dozen to one, who itself has admitted does not want to purchase more than 20 000 skins and last year offered and suggested to Seal Alert to buy-out the entire sealing industry and shut it down . Total import bans on all seal products are now in effect in the US, Mexico, South African and the 27-countries of the EU due to the cruel method Namibian sealers use to club seal pups to death.

Both Canada and Russia has stopped and banned the practice of clubbing or killing baby seal pups still nursing or less than 1 year of age.

Recent scientific and legal opinion has shown that the current legislations overseeing the seal pup cull, are inappropriate and unlawful, resulting in widespread cruelty and are inhumane.

Seal pup survivability has dramatically decreased in recent years as global conditions and fish stock have declined, where now up to 100 percent of the seal pups regularly do not survive to fish catching/weaning age.

Massive negative international media and public protests have erupted globally in recent year reaching millions of potential tourists to Namibia and negatively effecting their decision to visit Namibia.

Seal Alert-SA therefore calls upon the new Fisheries Minister to accept the realities of the situation and announce an end to its seal cull policy, and replace this with increased calls for seal protection and new investment in the seal focused seal viewing ecotourism industry. Which a recent study has shown is one of the fastest growing industries in the tourism sector.

The seal pup quota announced in 2006 and rolling for 3 years has been un-sustainable when natural mortality and mass die-off's are taken into account. This in itself conflicts with the Namibian constitution.

For the Seals

Francois Hugo Seal Alert-SA

27-21-790 8774

.We are now joining Seal Alert in South Africa against the brutal killing of baby seals in Namibia

SEND AN EMAIL TO STOP NAMIBIA BABY SEAL SLAUGHTER:

If this link is not working, please mannually send the letter below. THANK YOU!